News Number of the Day Is Inflation Even Hitting Tooth Fairy Money? Number of the Day: The most relevant or interesting figure in personal finance By The Balance Editors The Balance Editors We’re a team of writers and editors with decades of experience researching and answering questions about personal finances. We believe everyone should feel confident when making money decisions, and that passion drives us to make The Balance the best place to learn about finances. learn about our editorial policies Updated on February 25, 2022 Fact checked by Glenn Hunter That’s the average the Tooth Fairy now pays per tooth, according to a newly released poll—a record high since the poll began in 1998. Even magical creatures like the Tooth Fairy are not immune to down-to-earth concerns such as today’s rapidly rising inflation, it seems. The amount the pixie paid children for each lost baby tooth jumped 66 cents, or 14%, since last year to reach the all-time high of $5.36—a far cry from the $1.30 that kids netted when insurer Delta Dental began polling parents annually 24 years ago. (If you’re wondering, the latest figure—from a January poll of more than 1,000 parents of children 6-12—would mean the entire mouthful of 20 baby teeth you lose during childhood would cost a total of $107.20.) "With this year's Delta Dental-sponsored national poll reflecting double-digit growth in Tooth Fairy giving, perhaps the Tooth Fairy is experiencing the effects of inflation along with being very generous,” André Richards, an assistant vice president for Delta Dental’s umbrella association, said in a statement. Have a question, comment, or story to share? You can reach Diccon at dhyatt@thebalance.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cision PR Newswire. “Tooth Fairy Sets New Record High for Value of a Lost Tooth.”